Event Page: NISS Virtual Academic Career Fair - December 5, 2025 | National Institute of Statistical Sciences
The NISS Virtual Academic Career Fair featured presentations from several university statistics department leaders who outlined their institutions' programs, current hiring needs, and academic initiatives. Participating academic departments and speakers included: Daniel B. Hall, University of Georgia; Dan Nettleton, Iowa State University; Solomon W. Harrar, University of Kentucky; Nilay Tanık Argon, UNC Chappel Hill and Eric Chicken, Florida State University. This session was moderated by Luca Sartore, NISS & National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
Each presenter described their department's structure, research focus, and teaching opportunities, highlighting specific positions ranging from assistant professors to lecturers across various specializations including data science, statistics, and actuarial science. The panelists emphasized the importance of well-rounded candidates with strong research trajectories and teaching capabilities, while addressing questions about application processes, visa sponsorship, and the role of AI in academic settings.
UGA Statistics Department Overview
Daniel Hall, interim head of the University of Georgia's Department of Statistics, presented an overview of the department and its current hiring needs. He described the university's location, size, and academic programs, emphasizing its focus on data science and artificial intelligence. Hall detailed the department's research areas, graduate and undergraduate programs, and recent faculty hires. He concluded by outlining the requirements for a new position in statistical machine learning and big data analytics, with a soft deadline of January 9th.
Iowa State Statistics Department Overview
Dan Nettleton, chair of the Department of Statistics at Iowa State University, provided an overview of the department's history, structure, and current initiatives. He highlighted the department's strong reputation, collaboration opportunities, and the need to hire an assistant teaching professor for their Master of Applied Statistics program. Dan explained the qualifications for the position, emphasizing the importance of addressing preferred qualifications in applications. He also outlined the interview process, advising candidates to enjoy the experience, display curiosity, and demonstrate how they can contribute to the department.
University of Kentucky Statistics Department Overview
Solomon Harar from the University of Kentucky presented an overview of the Department of Statistics, highlighting its history, programs, and current faculty composition. He discussed two open positions: an Assistant Professor in Statistics with a focus on undergraduate education and a Lecturer position. The Assistant Professor role involves 75% teaching, 15% research, and 10% service, while the Lecturer position requires 90% instruction and 5% service. Solomon also introduced the Predictive Analytics and Data Science Hub (PADS Hub), which facilitates collaborative research and provides funding for graduate students.
UNC Chappel Hill Statistics Department Overview
Nilay Tanık Argon, a professor in UNC Chapel Hill's Department of Statistics and Operations Research, provided an overview of the department's history, structure, and current initiatives. She highlighted the department's interdisciplinary nature, covering statistics, operations research, and probability, and discussed their collaboration with other departments and universities. Nilay also mentioned the department's various degree programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees in statistics, data science, and analytics. She concluded by advertising two fixed-term teaching faculty positions in actuarial science and statistics/data science, emphasizing the department's vibrant research environment and the opportunity for collaboration with local health systems and companies.
Florida State Statistics Department Overview
Eric Chicken, chair of the Department of Statistics at Florida State University, presented an overview of the department's current state and future plans. He highlighted the department's growth, including the hiring of four new faculty members, and discussed the various degree programs offered. Eric emphasized the department's focus on research and the support provided to faculty, including mentoring, collaboration opportunities, and professional development. He also described the department's commitment to finding candidates who are excited about research and likely to succeed in their roles.
Academic Programs and Teaching Opportunities
During the Q&A session of the webinar, speakers answered questions about academic programs and teaching opportunities. Dan Nettleton explained the differences between Iowa State's Master's in Data Science and Applied Data Science programs, noting that the Applied program is 100% online with lower entry barriers. Dan Nettelton detailed the courses for Iowa State's Master of Applied Statistics program, which includes 10 courses over 15 months, and mentioned opportunities to teach introductory statistics courses across the university. He also discussed the potential to develop new courses, particularly in areas like sports analytics.
Statistical Jobs and Application Insights
The panel discussed job opportunities for statisticians, with representatives from multiple universities explaining that applications are welcome from anywhere, though visa sponsorship cannot be guaranteed. They emphasized the importance of independence, maturity, and a clear research trajectory for candidates, particularly highlighting the need for well-rounded faculty members who can handle teaching, research, and departmental duties. The panel also addressed questions about publications, collaborative work, and the use of AI in applications, with Eric cautioning against over-reliance on AI for writing cover letters and emphasizing the value of authentic, thoughtful applications.
Thank you & Acknowledgements:
NISS extends its heartfelt appreciation to our speakers—Daniel B. Hall (University of Georgia), Dan Nettleton (Iowa State University), Solomon W. Harrar (University of Kentucky), Nilay Tanık Argon (UNC Chapel Hill), and Eric Chicken (Florida State University)—for their thoughtful and informative presentations, and to our moderator, Luca Sartore (NISS & NASS), for skillfully guiding the session. Their collective expertise made this year’s Virtual Academic Career Fair an invaluable resource for New Researchers exploring academic career paths and preparing competitive applications. We are deeply grateful for their commitment to mentorship, transparency, and community-building in support of the next generation of scholars. For more opportunities like this—designed specifically to uplift and connect early-career researchers—join the NISS New Researchers Network.